FDUSD stablecoin depags amid Justin Sun's insolvency allegations

On April 2, the First Digital US-dollar pegged stablecoin FDUSD experienced a significant depeg, dropping to $0.9632 amid claims made by Tron network founder Justin Sun.
Key Takeaways
- FDUSD depegged to $0.9632 on April 2 following liquidity claims made by Justin Sun.
- Justin Sun alleged that First Digital, the issuer of FDUSD, is insolvent, sparking market concern.
- First Digital refuted the claim, stating that all FDUSD reserves are secured by US Treasury Bills and fully accounted for.
- The issuer plans to take legal action against Sun for allegedly spreading false information, while clarifying that the dispute involves TrueUSD.
Sun alleged that First Digital, the issuer behind FDUSD, was insolvent—a claim that sent ripples through the digital asset market. Stablecoins, which are designed to maintain a 1:1 peg to the US dollar, are a cornerstone for stability in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, making any deviation a cause for concern among investors and regulators alike.
First digital counters the claims
In a swift rebuttal, First Digital Trust dismissed Sun's allegations as part of a “smear campaign” aimed at undermining confidence in FDUSD. The issuer assured users that every dollar backing FDUSD is fully secure, held in US-backed Treasury Bills, and meticulously accounted for. Detailed in their attestation report, the reserves are clearly identified by ISIN numbers, reinforcing the firm's commitment to transparency.
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First Digital further clarified that the dispute is not rooted in their own operations but involves TrueUSD (TUSD), another prominent stablecoin that continues to trade near its peg at $0.999. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on April 2, First Digital vowed to pursue legal action against Justin Sun for disseminating what it deems false claims on social media.
FDUSD price. Source: CoinGecko.
Market implications and future outlook
This episode underscores the fragile nature of stablecoin operations in an environment of heightened scrutiny and fierce market competition. The incident has prompted both institutional and retail investors to reexamine the safeguards in place for maintaining stability in stablecoins.
As the legal battle looms, market watchers are keenly observing how these developments might influence regulatory policies and investor confidence in the broader crypto sector. Moving forward, the outcome of First Digital’s legal action against Sun could set important precedents in how liquidity claims and market manipulations are addressed within the stablecoin framework.
But despite the problems, Justin Sun has become a crypto billionaire, according to Forbes.